Hot off the press

BAAPS and BOMSS issue joint statement on surgical tourism

Due to a significant increase in patients travelling abroad for both aesthetic and bariatric (weight loss) surgery, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) have issued a joint statement.

In the statement, BAAPS and BOMSS warned about the risk of surgical tourism and expressed their concerns for patient welfare and safety, due to its links with serious complications and even deaths. Their advice is useful to UK practitioners, who can advise potential patients against travelling abroad for high risks surgery.

“BAAPS and BOMSS, the aesthetic and bariatric UK surgical societies are making this unprecedented joint statement due to our concerns for patient welfare and safety,” read the statement. “As professional societies, we are concerned by the number of patients presenting with the complications of surgical procedures performed outside the UK. There is an assumption that the NHS will deal with any issues on return home, and a significant financial cost can be attached to the management of complications. This cost might well be down to the patient to pay and must be considered in advance.”

Significantly, both societies acknowledged that economic pressures, concerted advertising, and ready availability have caused a continuous and increasing stream of UK patients to choose to travel abroad for surgery. They also took the opportunity to explain why surgery in the UK’s independent sector is more expensive than in some other countries, focusing on quality and regulation that UK practitioners should pass on to their patients.

Global skincare market predicted to generate revenue of £221 billion by 2031

The global skincare market is expected to witness significant growth in the next decade, according to a new report by Research Dive.

The market research firm has estimated that the global skincare market will garner a revenue of £221 billion from 2022 to 2031, with a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% throughout the timeframe.

Analysis into the reasons behind the increased demand, especially after years of uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic, suggests that interest in skincare is rising most notably in urban areas. This has been powered by increasing disposable money, extensive advertising activities, and the introduction of new products from both existing brands and those that are breaking into the market. Moreover, the research suggests that the fastchanging features of fashion and varied climatic circumstances are expected to magnify growth.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, female consumers look set to continue dominating the skincare market, now powered by increased customer knowledge about product efficacy. But, for practitioners who currently only stock skincare in-clinic, it’s significant to note that online distribution channels are becoming more important. Such platforms are expected to have the fastest growth of any distribution method by 2031, due to their ability to reach larger customer bases and more revenue through e-commerce.

The Asia-Pacific region is powering revenue globally. Product types however seem less likely to change. As a category, creams and moisturisers, which held the largest market share in 2021, are predicted to stay more popular than powders, cleansers and face washes by people of all ages.

For that reason, moisturisers are likely to remain a key component of any in-clinic offering, but it may be wise to invest in products in tube-based packaging, over bottles and jars. Tubes held the highest market share in 2021 with the category looking set to become even more popular as customers demand lightweight and portable packaging for cosmetics and skincare as 2031 approaches.

The British Association of Dermatologists issues warning about sunburn in the UK

To mark the British Association of Dermatologists’ Sun Awareness Week 2023 (May 1-7), the organisation has released worrying research into the sun habits of people in Great Britain.

According to a survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), 40% of British people got sunburnt at least once in the UK in the record-breaking temperatures of 2022. Concerningly, this percentage rose to more than half (56%) of young people aged 18-34.

The survey of 2,163 adults also analysed UV Index data for the UK in 2022, which measures the strength of UV rays at a specific time in a specific location. Once the UV index reaches three, sun protection is recommended for people with lighter skin tones. Data supplied by the UK Health Security Agency shows that, except for the most northern parts of Scotland, between a third and half of days in the UK in 2022 had a maximum UV index of at least three.

This data has led BAD to reassert its recommendation that people should be using sun protection between at least April and September, not just in the summer, as well as improving their awareness of skin cancer.

People in Great Britain are quick to take advantage of sunny days, with 76% of people saying that they would spend at least some time in the sun if they were not working. Moreover, 29% would aim to sunbathe at least some of the time, with 7% saying that they would sunbathe as much as possible.

A third of British people surveyed (33%) reported that they deliberately tried to develop a tan through sun exposure in 2022, either through deliberate sunbathing (21%) or spending time in the sun without sun protection (12%). Sunbathing was most popular among women, with a quarter (25%) saying that they sunbathed with the intention of tanning.

Of the people who deliberately tried to tan, 60% said they did it because it made them look healthy, 51% said that it made them look or feel more attractive, 27% did so to build up a base tan and 8% said they wanted people to know that they’ve been on holiday.

Moreover, although the UV index is the best measure available to show the risk of sun damage on any given day, 57% of people said they would rarely or never check it if in the UK, with only 19% of people often or always checking. The findings suggest that the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of sun protection, although more widely discussed, are still not accepted by British people.

That’s despite the latest skin cancer figures showing that there are 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and more than 200,000 keratinocyte skin cancers (non-melanoma skin cancers).

The research also found that sunbeds, which have been strongly linked with an increased skin cancer risk, were only being used by a small minority of people (3%). Usage also remains low in younger age groups, with only 5% of 18-24-yearolds using them. Instead, artificial tanning products are more popular, being utilised by 7% of the people surveyed and specifically 11% of women.

For further information, visit bad.org.uk.

85% of women never talk about their quality of life and levels of wellness

Statistics show that 17 out of 20 women never talk about their quality of life and levels of wellness, despite struggling with a host of common concerns that can affect their sense of well-being, especially as they age. Many of those concerns are relevant to the goals that women present to practitioners in-clinic too.

“Women can suffer with dry and dull skin, adult acne, vaginal dryness, loss of confidence regarding femininity, sexual embarrassment, discomfort while enjoying outdoor activities and many more issues that affect their quality of life,” said advanced nurse practitioner and founder of Amanda Azzopardi Aesthetics, Amanda Azzopardi. Other concerns include facial volume loss, sagging features and patients reporting they look tired all the time. Learning from each other in terms of declining hormones, increasing inflammation, and reducing energy levels is so important.

“The taboo surrounding women seeking aesthetic treatments is often focused towards ‘vanity’ and retaining youthful features,” continued Azzopardi. “Husbands fear the worst based on broad misconceptions of poor outcomes and media hype of misplaced dermal filler. Most women seek my assistance for subtle enhancements that simply refresh their confidence. The more we can collectively educate, the more we can normalise and celebrate ageing well.”

Eventually, like many aesthetic practitioners, Azzopardi hopes the industry will be “able to talk openly about the issues [women] experience, and about optimising our wellness journeys,” she concluded. “I encourage all my patients to prioritise their overall health and improve their level of health awareness.”

Web Marketing Clinic launches production company with new showreel

Medical aesthetics marketing agency Web Marketing Clinic has formalised its video offering by launching The Content Clinic, a production company which draws experience from BBC filmmakers and industry talent.

Web Marketing Clinic has offered videography for clients since its inception in 2007 but, after expanding its network of creatives and building processes, The Content Clinic has been developed to formalise this. The team includes awardwinning director of photography Luke Collins, who has worked alongside Web Marketing Clinic for more than three years.

For aesthetic practitioners and brands supplying to the aesthetic industry, The

Content Clinic offers:

• Social media and website video

• Adverts and commercials

• Treatment videos, including in-theatre surgical recording

• Event coverage

• Live streaming

• Podcasts and webinars for practitioners and brand education.

The Content Clinic showreel is available to view on webmarketingclinic.com and highlights productions with clients such as Dr Munir Somji, Dr Amy Law, Wigmore Medical and the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN).

Āatma Aesthetics opens first clinic at the O2, London

Āatma Aesthetics has signed for its debut location at the O2’s Icon Outlet, making it the first aesthetic and skin clinic at the site.

The clinic, which opened its doors in May, is taking up a 343-square-foot space on Icon Outlet’s upper level, adjacent to Jack Wills and Skechers.

The news comes as The O2 focuses on diversifying and expanding its beauty and well-being offering. The space is already home to Beauty Outlet, Clarins, Holland & Barrett, The Body Shop and The Cosmetics Company Store.

Founded by Dr Shaan Patel, Āatma Aesthetics is dedicated to a personalised approach to aesthetics. The new location will deliver a range of medically led services, including dermal fillers, LED light therapy, facials, and micro-needling, with the clinic’s expert team working closely with clients to develop customised skin treatment plans.

New aesthetic AR tool simulates the results of injectables in real-time

Swiss pharmaceutical company Galderma has created a visualisation tool powered by augmented reality (AR) that allows aesthetic professionals and patients to visualise injectable treatment results at the planning stage before treatment begins.

This technology, which utilises digital facial assessment, gives patients a simulated realtime ‘before and after’ visual ofwhat the potential post-treatment results may look like.

“We created FACE by Galderma as part of our commitment to supporting aesthetic professionals and patients on their aesthetic journey”, said Erick Brenner, Galderma vice president and general manager of US Aesthetics. “With the real-time, simulated injectable results feature, patients can see how injectable dermal filler treatments such as Restylane and collagen stimulators like Sculptra might enhance or restore facial features before ever undergoing treatment. We believe that by delivering a holistic approach to individualised care, we can empower patients to move ahead with their treatment plan with added confidence.”

SkinCeuticals opens first flagship clinic with Dr Ana Mansouri

Aesthetic skincare brand SkinCeuticals opened its first flagship clinic in partnership with award-winning aesthetic doctor, Dr Ana Mansouri and will be called Dr Ana The Skin Clinic.

The clinic, which opened on May 11 in Birmingham, will offer clients a flagship location for doctor-led skincare advice, non-invasive and advanced skincare treatments, alongside medically approved products, personalised regimes, and skin analysis.

Dr Ana The Skin Clinic is set across two floors, with the upper floor housing a retail space to provide access to SkinCeuticals’ bestselling products, as well as a skin consultation area where consumers can discuss their concerns and benefit from skin analysis devices. This floor also boasts a waiting area, a photo lab for before and after imaging, and a doctor’s treatment room. Downstairs, the clinic opens out to a further three treatment rooms, plus a relaxing numbing and LED light area, where patients can relax before their treatments.

One of SkinCeuticals’ core objectives for the flagship clinic is to establish more of a presence across the UK, with Birmingham being one of the youngest major cities in Europe and an ever-growing hub for aesthetics businesses.

The company also wanted to ‘team up with a well-trusted industry expert who shares the same brand values and believes in the importance of integrating clinical-led skincare and treatments’ – which was why Dr Mansouri was chosen.

Dr Patrick Treacy receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Leading aesthetic doctor Dr Patrick Treacy has received the Lifestyle Achievement Award for Aesthetics at the Hi Style x Tia Maria Hair and Beauty Awards 2023.

Dr Treacy won the coveted Tia Maria Lifetime Achievement Award (Cork), in recognition of his work as a multi-awardwinning aesthetic doctor and humanitarian.

Hi Style announced the news in advance of the event with a statement that said: “Hi Style is delighted to honour Dr Patrick Treacy with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Aesthetic Medicine for his outstanding vision, dedication, and commitment to research, philanthropy and improving standards through education and research. His international accolades showcase a doctor that has dedicated his life and work to helping people and creating industry standards.”

Voted the “Top Aesthetic Practitioner in the World 2019” at the MyFaceMyBody Global Awards (Las Vegas), Dr Treacy has clinics in Dublin and Cork. He has been featured on CNN, Dr Drew, RTÉ, TV3, Sky News, and BBC News. He has trained over 3,500 doctors and nurses from around the world as an advanced aesthetic trainer.

First Aid for Mental Health course helps aesthetics and beauty business support staff in the workplace

Charlie Oscar, a training company that provides accredited First Aid for Mental Health courses aimed at aesthetics and beauty businesses, has been set up by Karen Sargeant.

Sargeant, who has been in the beauty and medical aesthetics industries for more than 30 years, founded the company following her own experience with mental health in the workplace.

First Aid for Mental Health is part of a Health and Safety initiative that supports employers and employees and prioritises mental health. The main aims are to:

• Remove the stigma of mental health,

• Change the culture towards mental health,

• Create kinder happier working environments.

Once trained, employees can better spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide immediate help, as well as be a point of contact for colleagues who raise concerns. They would also understand their mental health and how it affects their health, relationships, and productivity.